Reciprocating means for liquid spray arrangements



J. C. ROSS Feb. 16, 1965 RECIPROCATING MEANS FOR LIQUID SPRAY ARRANGEMENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1963 JOHN C. ROSS Inventor AGENT.

Feb. 16, 1965 J. c. ROSS 3,169,706

RECIPROCATING MEANS FOR LIQUID SPRAY ARRANGEMENTS Filed July 2, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nvenlor Feb. 16, 1965 J. 0. Ross 3,159,706

RECIPROCATING MEANS FOR LIQUID SPRAY ARRANGEMENTS Filed July 2, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ()Q\\\\\\\ V J QL 2 4 Q 4 1 i N Q T Q I i I l i I I I I JOHN C. R SS Inventor AGENT Feb. 16, 1965 J. c. Ross 3,169,706

RECIPROCATING MEANS FOR LIQUID SPRAY ARRANGEMENTS Filed July 2, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN C. ROSS lnvenlor AGENT United States Patent 3,169,706 RECIPROCATING MEANS FOR LlQUm SPRAY ARRANGEMENTS .lohn Cree Ross, North Harrow, Middlesex, England,

assignor to The Reiss Engineering Company Limited,

Stanmore, England, a British company Filed July 2, 1963, Ser. No. 292,366 12 Claims. (Cl. 239-186) The invention relates to liquid spray arrangements as are used, for example, in connection with paper and board making equipment, such as moving wires, drums, strainers and felts. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with means for reciprocating liquid spray devices.

A liquid spray arrangement has previously been proposed which comprises a spray head to which a spray nozzle and a supply hose are so connectable that the spray nozzle is at an angle with the general line of the supply hose, the spray head being guided by guide means, drive means being provided for causing the hose together with the spray head and spray nozzle to move along the guide means, means being provided for periodically reversing the direction of movement of the spray nozzle, the drive means comprising friction rollers of resilient material engaging the hose, at least one of the friction rollers being coupled to a driving motor.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the previously proposed drive means for spray devices.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved drive means which makes possible the construction of a reciprocatory liquid spray arrangement more compact than previous arrangements of this type. it is a further object of the present invention to provide novel and improved means for reciprocating a spray head which are simple and economical but reliable.

A still further object of the present invention is to employ an open helical drive member for reciprocating a spray head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved spray head reciprocating means which is adapted to apply traction directly to spray means instead of by friction to a liquid supply tube or rod connected to such spray means.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following description, given by way of example and not limitation, of the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a liquid spray arrangement, having a motor driving device, partly broken awa FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a modified motor driving device for a liquid spray arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of the device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing diagrammatically another motor driving device for a liquid spray arrangement.

The liquid spray arrangement of FIG. 1 comprises a spray head 1 to which spray nozzle 3 including a tubular spray nozzle adapter 2 is connected. The spray head 1 is connected by a liquid supply tube 4 to an auxiliary spray head 5 which is provided with a spray nozzle 3 including a spray nozzle adapter 2. The auxiliary spray head 5 has connected thereto a liquid supply tube 6. The spray head 1, and the auxiliary spray head 5, are held spaced apart by the liquid supply tube 4. When only one auxiliary spray head is provided, the liquid supply tube 6 serves for introducing liquid under pressure to the spray head 1 and the auxiliary spray head 5. Of course, depend- 3,169,706 Patented Feb. 16, 1965 ing on the desired spraying area of the apparatus, more than two spray heads may be provided, the auxiliary spray heads being rigidly interconnected by liquid supply tubes, liquid being supplied to all the spray heads from a liquid supply tube connected to the auxiliary spray head most remote from the spray head 1.

The spray head 1, the auxiliary spray head 5 and the liquid supply tubes 4 and 5 are arranged within a longitudinally slotted tube 7 so that the spray nozzles 3 with their adapters 2 project therefrom. The slotted tube 7 is secured by a flange connection 8 to a housing 11 of a driving device 12. The driving device 12 comprises a reversible electric motor 13 fitted with a gearbox 14 on an output shaft 13 of which a bevel gear 16 is provided. The bevel gear 16 meshes with a bevel gear 17 provided on a shaft 18 which is carried by two bearings 21.

The shaft 18 has attached thereto a threaded spindle 22 on which a threaded follower 23 is provided, the follower 23 being prevented from rotating by sliding engagement thereof with a fixed bar 24. The follower 23 carries an adjustable limit stop 25 arranged for operating a microswitch as at each end of the path of movement of the follower 23, the switches 26 effecting reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor 13.

The shaft 18 is connected by a coupling 27 to a shaft 28 which extends concentrically into the slotted tube 7 through a bearing bush 31. The shaft 28 has a portion 32 to which a helically coiled member 33 is secured. The helical member 33 extends Within the slotted tube 7 throughout substantially the entire length thereof, each spray nozzle adapter 2 extending between two adjacent convolutions of the helically coiled member 33.

The arrangement operates as follows:

If a liquid, for example Water, is supplied under pressure to the liquid supply tube 6, water sprays are produced by the spray nozzles 3. If the motor 13 is started, the shaft 18 and thus the shaft 28 and the helical coiled member 33 are rotated, causing the spray heads 1 and 5 to travel in one direction relative to the slotted tube 7. Rotation of the shaft 18 causes rotation of the spindle 22 and, thus, travelling of the follower 23 until one of the microswitches 26 is operated by the limit stop 25, whereupon the motor 13 is reversed so that the spray heads 1 and 5 travel in the opposite direction. The spray nozzles 3 thus travel to and fro relative to an article to be sprayed.

In the modified driving device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the motor 13 and gearbox 14 have been turned through as compared with their position in the arrangement of FIG. 1 and one end of the output shaft 15 of the gearbox 14 is used directly to drive the shaft 28 which serves for rotating the helically coiled member 33. The shaft 15 is connected to the shaft 28 by a flexible coupling 127. The other end of the output shaft 15 is connected to the spindle 22 which serves for traversing the follower 23 between the motor-reversing micro-switches 26.

Instead of a reversible electric motor, a reversible pneumatic motor may be used, as shown, in FIG. 4. In this arrangement, the shaft 28 which serves for rotating the helically coiled member 33 is connected to one end of a threaded spindle 222 the other end of which is connected to a reversible pneumatic motor 213, arranged within an extension 2%? of the slotted tube 7. The threaded spindle 222 is engaged by a threaded follower 223 having an adjustable limit stop 225, the follower 223 extending through the slotted tube. Outside the slotted tube, two pilot valves 226 are mounted, the pilot valves being actuatable by the limit stop 225 when the follower 223 reaches its end position as set by the limit stop. The pilot valves 226 are arranged for controlling the operation of a four way valve 251) which is supplied with air under pressure from an air line 251 through a pressure reducing valve 252 having a pressure gauge 253. The four way valve 250 is connected to the pneumatic motor 213. This arrangement operates in a manner similar to that of FIG. 1, the pilot valves 226 controlling reversing of the pneumatic motor 213, just as the micro-switches as of PEG. 1 con trolled reversing of the electric motor 13.

It should be clearly understood that the embodiments described and illustrated in the drawings are given by way of example. Many modifications, omissions and additions are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. Means for reciprocating a liquid spray device having a spray. nozzle and a spray head carrying said nozzle,

said reciprocating means comprising an open helical coil, 7

said spray head being disposed within said coil, said spray nozzle extending from said spray head between adjacent convolutions of said helical coil, means for preventing rotation of said spray head, means for rotating said helical coil about the axis of said coil to cause said spray head and therewith said spray nozzle to move in the axial direction of said coil, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said coil whereby to reverse the direction of movement of said spray head and said spray nozzle.

2. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 1, where in asid means for preventing rotation of said spray head comprise guide means extending along said coil, said spray nozzle being disposed in guided engagement with said guide means.

3. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 2, wherein said guide means comprise a guiding tube housing said coil, said tube having aguide slot through which said spray nozzle projects. 7

4. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rotating means comprise a reversible motor, and said reversing means comprise switch means actnatable to reverse the direction of drive of said motor, actuator means for actuating said switch means, and means for moving said actuator means successively into actuating contact with said switch means.

5. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for moving said actuator means comprise drive transmission means operable by said motor. 6. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 3, and comprising at least one auxiliary spray head, a substantially rigid tube connecting said spray head to said auxi iary spray head, an auxiliary spray nozzle on said auxiliary spray nozzle projecting through said slot in said guide tube. I

7. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coil is adapted to guide said spray head in the convolutions of said coil.

8. Means for reciprocating a liquid spray device having a spray nozzle and a spray head carrying said nozzle, said reciprocating means comprising an open helical coil, said spray head being disposed within said coil, said spray nozzle extending from said spray head between adjacent convolutions of said helical coil, means for preventing rotation of said spray head and comprising guide means extending along said coil, said guide means comprising a guide tube housing said coil and having a guide slot, said spray nozzle extending from said coil into guided engagement with said slot in said guide tube and protruding through said slot for discharging a spray outside said guide tube, means connected to one end of said coil member for rotating said coil about the axis of said coil to cause said spray head and therewith said spray nozzle to move along said guide tube in the axial direction of said coil, and means arranged'to be driven by said drive means for reversing the direction of rotation of said coil.

9. Means for reciprocating a liquid spray device having a spray nozzle and a spray head carrying said nozzle, said reciprocating means comprising an open helical coil, said spray head being disposed within said coil and adapted to be guided by the convolutions of said coil, said spray nozzle extending from said spray head between adjacent convolutions of said helical coil, means for preventing rotation of said spray head and com-prising guide means extending along said coil, said guide means comprising a guide tube housing said coil and having a guide slot, said spray nozzle extending from said coil into guided engagement with said 'slot in said guide tube and protruding through said slot for discharging a spray outside said guide tube, means connected to one end of said coil memher for rotating said coil about the axis of said coil to cause said spray head and therewith said spray nozzle to move along said guide tube in the axial direction of said coil, and means arranged to be driven by said drive means for reversing the direction of rotation of said coil, said rotating means comprising a reversible motor, and said reversing means comprising switch means actuatable to reverse the direction or" drive of said motor, actuator means for actuating said switch means, and means for moving said actuator means successively'i'nto actuating contact with said switch means, and said means for moving said actuator means comprising drive transmission means operable by said motor.

10. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 9, wherein said, rotating means comprise a drive shaft connected to one end of said helical coil.

11. In a liquid spray arrangement comprising a spray head arranged for reciprocation and carrying a spray nozzle, reciprocating drive means comprising an open helically coiled drive member, said spray head being arranged within and guided by said coiled drive member, guide means extending along said drive member for preventing rotation of said spray head, means for rotating 7 said drive member, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said drive member. a e

12. Reciprocating means as set forth in claim 10, wherein said guide means comprise longitudinally slotted housing means substantially enclosing said drive member with the spray nozzle extending in guided relation through the slot in said housing to the exterior of said housing;

References (Zited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,613,263 1/27 Baylin 74-59 2,240,087 4/41 'Barrett 74-59 V FOREIGN, PATENTS 584,290 10458 Italy.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

11. IN A LIQUID SPRAY ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A SPRAY HEAD ARRANGED FOR RECIPROCATION AND CARRYING A SPRAY NOZZLE, RECIPROCATING DRIVE MEANS COMPRISING AN OPEN HELICALLY COILED DRIVE MEMBER, SAID SPRAY HEAD BEING ARRANGED WITHIN AND GUIDED BY SAID COILED DRIVE MEMBER, GUIDE MEANS EXTENDING ALONG SAID DRIVE MEMBER FOR PREVENTING ROTATION OF SAID SPRAY HEAD, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID DRIVE MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR REVERSING THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SAID DRIVE MEMBER. 